A Princess' Choice

CHAPTER TWO

The day before the Royal Family of Eisenberg arrived, the palace was swarming with maids and guards coming in and out. The dining hall was decorated with flags and ornaments that were used especially for important occasions. The table cloth was replaced with a thick maroon fabric with gold accent that represented the color of Eisenberg. Delicate flower arrangements were placed neatly in rows at the center of the dining table, accentuated with gold candle holders. On top of the long table were sparkling silverwares arranged next to gold plates.

I marched in the kitchen where my mother was waiting for me. When she saw me, she gestured for me to sit on the long island where different kinds of food were arranged in rows. I obliged and sat next to her.

"Good, now that you're here, we will begin taste-testing these foods and you will help me decide which ones to serve for lunch and which ones for dinner," she explained. I couldn't argue anymore because this was the kind of job she'd been letting me do each time she hosted a party. I simply nodded and went over with every food in front of me.

"Mother, why is this so important to you?" I asked as we go over the first course.

"Because Eisenberg is a big deal, you know they are one of our strongest allies," she explained, chewing on her grilled chicken salad. "Make sure to lessen the oil in the dressing, Queen Ellyn is very particular with that," she instructs the chef.

"I know, I just think this is all too over the top," I said truthfully.

She brings her fork up to her mouth and munched on the salmon. "Ooh, lose the garlic, I heard Ellyn doesn't like them," she told the chef and then turned to me. "Honey, I know you're worried about this whole thing, but trust me, okay? This is just right.

"Besides, Queen Ellyn and I are good friends and I've heard so much about her sons. Prince Lyonel, in particular is very charming."

I simply shrugged and picked on the paprika on my plate. 

"So what do you think about the food?" she asked, trying to change the subject.

"It's great, just not a fan of the paprika on the salmon," I replied.

"If you don't like it we can have them change it."

"No, it's fine, Mother." I put the fork down and turned to the chef. "Just serve mine without it, please," I asked nicely.

"Okay," my Mother retorted. "Bring on the dessert please."

After about an hour or so, I was released from my mother's orders. All the foods that I stuffed in my mouth made my tongue taste funny so I ran up to my room to brush my teeth.

After ridding my mouth of the funny taste, I decided to go over the history and laws of Eisenberg. As much as I dreaded this upcoming marriage, I didn't want my parents to be embarrassed in front of the King and Queen of Eisenberg. So I grabbed the history book from my shelf and plopped down on my cloud couch.

Eisenberg was a powerful country. They are indeed one of our strongest allies. Their history dates back to the 1500's and they were mostly known for producing the best war weapons in the world. In the 1700's their territories expanded after colonizing 3 of their young neighbor countries.

They are also one of the few countries that had maintain a royal line of the same family name for twelve generations. The Sowdens.

Getting to know all these facts was too much for me to handle than I thought. It got me overthinking and worrying about what awaits me when I married a Sowden, and become a Sowden.

Before I could flood my head with more questions, a light knock at my door interrupted my reading. I got up to open it and Leyla, my head maid was standing outside.

"Your highness," she greeted and curtsied. "Your presence is needed in the Queen's suite. Mr. Donohugh has arrived for your dress fitting."

I almost forgot about the fitting. Garret Donohugh was my mother's designer, and I guess now, mine, too. He made my mother's gowns since she was just sixteen and according to her she wanted me to experience the same magic she did with Gar's creation. And although I would prefer my premade dresses, I couldn't really argue with her.

"Right, I almost forgot," I told Leyla. I put my book down and headed out. Leyla closed the door behind me and followed me down the hall.

"How long have they been waiting for me, Leyla?" I asked.

"Quite a while already, your highness," she replied.

I nodded and quicken my pace. My mother would constantly remind me to always be mindful of the time. She said a queen should not keep her subjects waiting. But I wasn't a queen yet so I thought I could get away with this.

When Officer Ulric Gibber, my mother's head of security saw us approaching, he thumped his baton against the floor twice to indicate my presence and said, "The princess has arrived." The door opened and I slightly bowed to him before entering.

Ulric had been working in the palace for years. Before he was promoted as the queen's head of security, he was once a Level 3 Officer and was positioned in my room hallway when I was still six. Sometimes, when I would hide from my maids, he'd cover up for me. He would tell me how he missed his daughter back in Cleveton and that I reminded him of her. So when he got the promotion, he was able to bring his family in Pieth where they were given a place in the palace. I met his daughter and we practically became the best of friends. Now, Alice went to school to study medicine in Hosienna and came home once each week so we only saw each other on Sundays.

"There she is!" my mother beamed. She was sitting on her couch, tea in hand.

"Perfect!" Garret exclaimed. "I can't wait for you to try these on, your highness," he added, bowed, and gestured to the dresses on his side.

I stood in admiration of the magnificent crafts that I beheld. There were three in total. Each having a unique touch of colors and sparkles.

"You were right after all, mother. These dresses are just perfect!" I said excitedly.

"Oh, you can never go wrong with Garret, dear," my mother said, chuckling. "I told you she'd love it, Garret," she added, patting Garret on the back.

"I am ecstatic! Now let's try these on, shall we?" Garret blurted out excitedly.

And without any hesitation, I glided into my mother's closet and tried on the three beautiful dresses. I got to decide which one to wear at the welcome lunch, dinner with the prince and the send-off.

I kept myself as calm as I could while we waited for our visitors in the sitting room. The dress that I chose for this particular event was a baby blue off-the-shoulders dress. The lace bodice hugged my waist perfectly and the puffy, see-through sleeves reached down to my wrist. The skirt was a soft tulle that swayed whenever I moved and it fell to my knees just right. I kept tugging at the strands of hair that were left to dangle in front of my face while the rest were tied in a high bun.

My mother and father looked very regal in their ensemble. For a moment, I forgot they were my parents. My mother wiped an imaginary dirt on my father's shoulder while my father patted her back.

"They're here, your majesties," Malina, the private secretary of the sovereign announced.

Ulric thumped his baton twice and announced, "The Royal Family of Eisenberg has arrived."

The doors to the room opened and the King, Queen, and Prince of Eisenberg entered. I immediately searched the face of Prince Lyonel. He looked very well-groomed, his long hair was pushed back and his coat suited him perfectly. I found myself wishing his looks complemented his attitude.

The Kings shook each other's hands and the Queens hugged, while Prince Lyonel took my hand and placed a kiss on top of it. I curtsied back and gave him a fainthearted smile.

"What a pleasure it is, Hiron and Ellyn," my mother greeted.

"It is indeed a great pleasure to have your presence here in our humble kingdom," my father said.

"Oh, it is ours, too! What a wonderful country you have," Queen Ellyn replied. "And what lovely, lovely girl!" She held mu chin and tucked the dangling strands of hair behind my hair.

"Thank you, your majesty," I said and curtsied.

"Oh! This is my son, Lyonel."

"I am pleased to meet you, your highness," Prince Lyonel said.

"And I, you, your highness," I responded.

"Well, let's not keep the party waiting, why don't we all head to the dining hall?" my father announced.

My parents and the King and Queen of Eisenberg talked relentlessly while I ate in peace. They would often throw questions at me but then the subject would die down easily. Prince Lyonel, however, was a very good conversationalist, he managed to keep up with the talk like it was a piece of cake.

"Well, let's not stray away from the subject matter," my mother stated. "Let's talk about Cal and Lyonel."

I almost spat out my food at the mention of my name. I looked over at my mom, looking at me teasingly. Then I looked over at Prince Lyonel who looked completely fine at all. I guess I was the only one making a big deal out of this. But, shouldn't I be?

"We've arranged a dinner for the two of you in the second floor terrace where you two will get to know each other better, isn't that sweet?" my mother said, practically gushing.

"Oh, how wonderful! You two enjoy yourselves while we, adults, discuss important matters at dinner," Queen Ellyn retorted.

"We hope you don't take this against us, we're just trying to do what we think is right for you," King Hiron said.

"Not at all, father," Prince Lyonel replied. And I just simply smiled.

Of course I didn't want to take this against my parents, but they were making it hard for me to. And I hated how this Prince just agreed on everything the adults said like he wasn't feeling any pressure at all. I also hated that I was the only who felt emotionally violated at the sight of my future being drawn for me.

Dinner came like a swift wind. I was dressed in a red gown that reached my ankles. It was simply and elegantly crafted and the bodice was beaded intricately. I let my hair fall down to my waist and accessorized it with a white headpiece.

I took one last look at the mirror as my maids made final touch-ups with my hair and makeup. When they finished I stood and ran my hand through the skirt of my dress.

"You look absolutely gorgeous, your highness," Leyla said, looking amused.

"Thank you," I replied.

"Oh, C est magnifique, your highness!" Teresa, my other maid exclaimed.

Before I could take a step towards the door, there was a knock.

"I'll get it," Teresa said.

Prince Lyonel was standing outside my door with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. Teresa looked over at me and opened the door wide. I walked towards him and smiled.

"These are for you, your highness," he said, handing me the flowers.

"Thank you," I replied meekly. I handed the flowers to Teresa and asked her to place it in a vase.

"Shall we?" Prince Lyonel asked, holding out his hand. I took it and we walked down the hall way, my arm draped around his.

He must have sensed my nervousness so he started talking.

"May I just take this moment to tell you how ravishing you are, your highness," he began.

I felt myself blush at his words. I didn't know how to react so I simply said, "Oh, you flatter me! So do you..." I started off. "...I mean not ravishing... you know... like, handsome."

Real Smooth.

He chuckled in his very princely manner and said, "Thank you, I'm flattered, myself."

When we got to the terrace, there were maids and guards positioned in every corner. This was one of the perks of being a royalty, you didn't get to date like how normal people would do.

Prince Lyonel pulled the chair out for me and I sat. Foods were being served as we talked.

"So, Prince Lyonel, I read Eisenberg has very good beaches," I began.

"Oh please, call me Lyonel. And, yes, in fact, the palace is built just near the beach."

"Really? Oh and you can call me Callista," I uttered. "I've always wanted to live near the beach, that's wonderful!" My words came out more excited than intended so I tried to take it back. "I mean... not that-it's just-what I wanted to say was...well I thought-"

"Hey," he said, smiling widely, almost as if he's concealing a laugh that was about to burst out soon. "I get what you're trying to say." And just like that he let go of the laugh he'd been holding in, and I joined in, too.

After a moment, our laughs died down.

"Lyonel, I can see you're really great, I'm just a little..." I trailed off, trying to find the right words.

"Overwhelmed?" he asked.

"Yes. And I want you to know I really want to try," I explained.

"Don't worry, this isn't easy for me, either. I just didn't want my parents to be disappointed."

"Me, too." I sighed.

"But I want to really try, too. Maybe we'll find a way to work this out," he said.

"Yeah, maybe."

They were set to depart in the morning so we all gathered in the sitting room again to send them off.

My parents and Lyonel's parents shook hands and hugged and bid their thanks.

"Thank you for the wonderful time here, we look forward to having Callista in our home, soon," Queen Ellyn said, reaching out to hug me.

I chuckled nervously at her words because it seemed very final and that sort of scared me. Any mention of marriage would surely scare someone off.

"We loved having you here," my mother said.

As our parents said their farewells, Lyonel came up to me.

"I had a great time, Callista. I look forward to our next date," he said.

"I do, too," I replied.

"And next time, we'll discuss on how we can work this thing out. You said you are willing to try, right?"

"Yeah, I do." I said meekly.

"Goodbye for now, your highness."

........................

Thanks for reading my book! Don't forget to vote and comment if you liked it!